Redknapp claims agent 'gang warfare'

Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has voiced his disgust at the actions of football agents as this season's January transfer window descends into, what he termed, all-out 'gang warfare'.

Languishing at the foot of the Premier League, Redknapp has sought new talent to introduce at Loftus Road in a bid to escape the relegation battle.

But as the transfer window head into its final week, Redknapp, a wily customer in transfer dealings, has cut a frustrated figure as player agents begin to dominate proceedings.

"I have never seen anything like this transfer window," Redknapp said. "Every agent seems to be trying to screw each other. It's like gang warfare out there - it's scary.

"If you're trying to get a player, another agent will try to scupper that deal if he's not involved in it to try to get you to have one of his instead. It's unreal. Unbelievable."

Redknapp continues to pursue West Bromwich Albion's wantaway striker Peter Odemwingie and Porto centre-back Rolando but, in the current climate, is unsure whether a deal can be struck for either player.

"It's not just the person who deals with the players: it's dealing with the person who controls the player, or who wants to be in on the deal," he said.

"It's so hard to get to the bottom of it all. They're all fighting for big money, that's the problem, and there aren't that many deals happening."